Barnum!

TV Movie
1986
Not Rated
1h 53m

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

248

YOUR RATING

Biography Musical

Barnum the musical traces Phineas Taylor Barnum's career from 1835 to 1881 when he joined James A. Bailey to form the circus which was called The Greatest Show on Earth. Barnum is a defender... Read allBarnum the musical traces Phineas Taylor Barnum's career from 1835 to 1881 when he joined James A. Bailey to form the circus which was called The Greatest Show on Earth. Barnum is a defender of "the noble art of humbug" with a philosophy, and has a free wheeling ambition to make ... Read allBarnum the musical traces Phineas Taylor Barnum's career from 1835 to 1881 when he joined James A. Bailey to form the circus which was called The Greatest Show on Earth. Barnum is a defender of "the noble art of humbug" with a philosophy, and has a free wheeling ambition to make a fortune. He buys the oldest woman in the world, named Joyce Heath, as a sideshow attract... Read all

See production info at IMDbPro

IMDb RATING

7.5/10

248

YOUR RATING

See production info at IMDbPro

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Storyline

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Trivia
This filmed production is based on the London cast of "Barnum" and starred Michael Crawford. The original Broadway production opened at the St. James Theater in New York on April 30, 1980, ran for 854 performances and was nominated for the 1980 Tony Award (New York City) for the Best Musical.

Quotes
P.T. Barnum: All right damn it. Why don't we just leave it to the fates. Heads it's yes, tails it's no.
[flips his coin]
P.T. Barnum: Mr. Bailey, you got yourself a partner!
Ringmaster: To the biggest show in the country!
P.T. Barnum: To the greatest show on earth!

Alternate versions
The BBC original had an extra scene after the first number about a mermaid which is cut from the american dvd

Connections
Featured in The Many Faces of...: Michael Crawford (2013)

Soundtracks
Overture
Performed on two pianos by David Ellis and George Raitee

User reviews10

Review

Featured review

10/10

A great musical... one of Michael's best!!

Barnum is an amazing circus musical that stars one of Musical Theatre's finest... Michael Crawford!! This life story of Barnum is filled with beautiful songs and great acting. It was filmed right on the London Stage, so it is almost as if you are there. :o) Next to Phantom of the Opera, I would have to say that this is one of Michael's greatest performances (much better than Jim Dale's Barnum)! Some of my favorite songs include: Color's of My Life, I Like Your Style, Museum Song, Out There, The Prince of Humbug, Join the Circus, Thank God I'm Old, etc.